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Isaiah 37:11

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Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them utterly; and shalt thou be delivered?

Behold, thou hast heard {H8085} what the kings {H4428} of Assyria {H804} have done {H6213} to all lands {H776} by destroying them utterly {H2763}; and shalt thou be delivered {H5337}?

You have heard what the kings of Ashur have done to all lands - they have completely destroyed them. So how will you be delivered?

Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared?

Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered?

Commentary

Isaiah 37:11 records a chilling message from Sennacherib, the arrogant King of Assyria, to King Hezekiah of Judah. This verse is part of a letter intended to intimidate Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem into surrendering. Sennacherib's strategy was to highlight Assyria's unparalleled military dominance and its history of utterly destroying every nation that opposed it, then question Judah's hope for deliverance.

Historical and Cultural Context

At this time, the mighty Assyrian Empire was the dominant superpower in the ancient Near East, renowned for its brutal and effective military campaigns. Their policy towards conquered lands was often one of total devastation and deportation, as seen in their prior conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) in 2 Kings 17:6. Sennacherib had already conquered many fortified cities of Judah before laying siege to Jerusalem (see Isaiah 36:1). His boastful letter served as a psychological weapon, emphasizing the futility of resistance against such an overwhelming force, and implying that Judah's God was no match for Assyria's gods or military might.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Intimidation and Arrogance: Sennacherib's words drip with pride and an attempt to instill fear. He views human military power as supreme and unstoppable.
  • The Futility of Human Boasting: Despite Assyria's impressive track record, this verse sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation between human might and divine power.
  • God's Sovereignty: While Sennacherib boasts of his conquests, the narrative immediately following this verse reveals God's ultimate control over all nations and their rulers.
  • The Question of Deliverance: The rhetorical question, "and shalt thou be delivered?" challenges Judah's faith in God, prompting a crisis that ultimately leads to God's miraculous intervention.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "destroying them utterly" translates the Hebrew verb חרם (ḥāram), which carries the strong connotation of total destruction or devotion to destruction, often in a religious context where something is set apart, usually for God, by being utterly destroyed. Here, Sennacherib applies this concept to his own campaigns, boasting of his absolute and uncompromising annihilation of nations, contrasting sharply with God's ultimate power to preserve.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of overwhelming odds and intimidating threats, our ultimate trust should be in God, not in human strength or political alliances. Like Hezekiah, who took this threatening letter to the temple and spread it before the Lord (Isaiah 37:14), we are called to bring our fears and challenges before God in prayer. The subsequent deliverance of Jerusalem (documented in Isaiah 37:36) powerfully illustrates that God's power far surpasses any human boast or military might. It encourages believers to have faith in God as our refuge and strength, even when surrounded by seemingly insurmountable difficulties.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 36:18 (4 votes)

    [Beware] lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, The LORD will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

  • Isaiah 36:20 (4 votes)

    Who [are they] among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?

  • 2 Kings 18:33 (2 votes)

    Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

  • 2 Kings 18:35 (2 votes)

    Who [are] they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand?

  • Isaiah 37:18 (2 votes)

    Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations, and their countries,

  • Isaiah 37:19 (2 votes)

    And have cast their gods into the fire: for they [were] no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.

  • Isaiah 10:7 (2 votes)

    Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but [it is] in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.